Brewing Ales and Viewing Lamps

On Saturday morning I was up early to bake a chocolate banana bread cake and then head out to Bill and Jen's house, where with other friends, we were going to make beer. I was very excited to learn about this process, making one of my favorite tipples with fellow beer enthusiasts sounded like a perfect way to spend an afternoon and evening.

I was the first one to arrive, no surprise with my eagerness, but the others showed up soon after. Obviously nobody was wanting to miss a single thing of this very interesting experiment. I was not surprised to learn that Bill and Jen had grown their own hops, 3 varieties, Zeus, Newport, and Fuggle, an English hop. The event started by first cracking open a beer and then pottering off down the garden, armed with clippers and wicker baskets to cut down the hops. I selected the Fuggles to chop, obviously because they're English but also because of their lovely name, which reminded me of Harry Potter, (Muggles - humans lacking any witchcraft skills). We also had to stop and admire the largest yellow orb spider I'd ever seen, suspended in steadfast stillness above the nasturtiums.

We were making 3 different beers, but had no real idea of what they would be, possibly a stout, an ale or IPA, or just a hoppy alcoholic beverage. Bill had mentioned in his e-mail invite that we could help to make the beer or just sit idly by while others prepare the batches, and those who helped would get a bottle or two to take home, when they were eventually ready. Everybody helped in one way or another, the enthusiasm for beer was tangible. We relied on Bill and Jen, who had made a couple of batches previously, to lead the way, and a book was often referred to, the bible of brewing beer. Three cauldrons were set up with boiling water and once the correct temperature was reached, the grains were added, and during this process sugars would be extracted. I was extremely pleased we were conducting this process outdoors, the stench was horrendous. Not being a huge malt lover, my poor nostrils were assaulted by this funky fetor, nearly making me gag. The stink was horrendous. But we battled on, helped by swallows of good beers we'd brought with us and delicious snacks.

We had to strain the contents of each container through a muslin cloth and then added the hops. That was the best part and the Fuggles went into the 'stout' pot. Jenn had topped up the water on one of the others with hot water that the corn had cooked in. We all looked at one another quizzically, wondering if that was a bright idea or not, then shrugged and carried on. We'll be interested to taste that one later. Eventually the pots were cooled down and then tipped, with a yeast mixture, into large glass carboys, where they'll live and ferment for a couple of weeks before bottling. And then a couple of weeks after that we should be ready for a tasting! I left before dark, with my empty cake plate, and hair smelling of malt, and as Bill had noted, it had been, "hoptastic fun!"

On Sunday, I drove to The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester to see an exhibition of Tiffany lamps. Since I was a teenager I've loved the original and organic look of these lamps, instantly recognizable as from the Art Nouveau period, my favorite. Their bronze stands are as equally unique as the shades, each piece, usually bronze, a highly desirable phenomenon of art. This exhibition was leaving soon and I would possibly never have this chance again to admire so many of these lamps together and first hand.

I was surprised and delighted to enter the rooms and find that I was the only one there. I had hoped that because of church there wouldn't be crowds, but this was beyond any expectation and I felt like royalty, enjoying a private show before the riffraff public are allowed admittance. I walked around very slowly, taking my time peering at each piece closely, even forgetting that I was being watched by the security guard. I kept my phone in my pocket, determined not to focus on taking any photos until I'd pored over each softly illuminated lamp and studied each intricately designed piece, identifying each flower before I read the labels to see if I was right. Yet I was amazed to find that my favorite piece of all had no floral depiction, but instead was a shade that looked like a spider web or toadstool, with gradual shadings that merged my two favorite colors, orange and green. It was all I could do to not pick up the lamp and casually make for the door, I wanted it so badly. The joy of being able to look at one of these treasures on a daily basis will never be realized by most of us, but today the experience was like walking around a king's treasure room.

The floral lamps depicted poinsettias, begonias, apple blossoms and hanging wisteria blooms, in rich vibrant colors. and one that represented the leaves of the lotus or water lily. Every single one a masterpiece.
Another interesting article on The Neustadt Collection is here.

I then viewed an exhibit of the Steinlen cats, and I also discovered an artist who's work was on show, Sally Veach. Some of her paintings were dynamic, with heavy energetic brushstrokes, that made an impact from the other side of the room as I approached. I loved the texture and layers used, almost as if she had attacked the canvas with the paint and brushes.
Before I went home, I strolled around the gardens, which again were nearly empty of people. The museum is opening some walking trails next spring and I think I inadvertently ended up on one of these as I found myself at a dead end in a field so then had to climb over a gate to return to the gardens.

Some of the flower beds near the creek were laid out like a cottage garden, filled with pollinator plants, butterflies, bees and dragonflies. I would love to be able to replace all of my lawn with a garden such as this, with little paths weaving through the flowers, it is absolutely beautiful.
And so my weekend ended, 2 fabulous days with perfect weather finished with relaxing on the sofa, Tricksie Treat and Rosie Lee hanging out with me, and me wistfully looking at my lamps and wishing just one could be a Tiffany...